When are lifetime balance transfer deals best?

They could be cheaper if you have a large credit card balance and it will take you a long time to repay in full.

This is because lifetime balance transfers come with interest rates as low as 6.4%, usually fixed for as long as it takes for you to repay the balance. Interest free balance transfer cards start to charge interest after the 0% period ends at their standard APR, which is usually 18.9% or higher.

If you will to take longer than the interest free period to pay off your balance, it could be cheaper to get a card that will charge a low interest rate until you have paid it off.

Most lifetime balance transfers also come without a fee, whereas 0% deals come with fees of up to 5% of the balance you want to transfer. On a balance of £3,000, that would come to £150.

How to choose a lifetime balance transfer

Our comparison table above includes every lifetime balance transfer credit card available in the UK. For each card you can compare the:

Balance transfer rate

Balance transfer fee

Representative APR

You can also work out how much you each card could save you compared to your current credit card by entering your balance, existing provider and current APR. We will then show you how much each card could save you.

What interest rate will you get?

Although every credit card advertises a representative APR, you may not get this rate because it only has to be given 51% of people who apply. The APR you get will be decided once they have checked your credit record.

For example, a card with an APR of 6.9% may only give this to 51% of applicants and either 11.9% or 14.9% to everyone else depending on their credit record.

How long will the low APR last for?

Some providers will guarantee the APR will stay the same for a period of several years. However, if you fail to meet the minimum payments, go over your credit limit or break a card's terms and conditions, your APR can go up.

Other providers offer a variable APR, but if they increase it you could ask them to close your account. You could then continue to pay off the balance at the old APR.

Lifetime balance transfer FAQs

Q

How do I make a balance transfer?

A

You can transfer what you owe on a credit card to a new deal with a better interest rate or up to a few years interest free - here is how

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